Connor Storrie’s ascent in Hollywood continued Saturday night with his debut as host of Saturday Night Live. The 26-year-old actor, fresh off the success of the queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry, delivered a monologue that touched on the indicate’s impact and poked fun at his own role in it, alongside a surprise appearance from his co-star, Hudson Williams. The episode, the first new installment following the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, showcased Storrie’s comedic timing and cemented his status as a rising star.
Storrie’s monologue opened with a self-deprecating joke about the show that launched him into the spotlight. “Now, some of you may have seen all of me on my show Heated Rivalry,” he quipped to the audience. “It’s a show that’s taught a lot of people about hockey, and it’s taught a lot of straight women that their sexuality is actually gay men.” He admitted to being overwhelmed with emotion upon receiving the invitation to host, stating he “cried” when he got the news, and playfully questioned his own athletic prowess, joking about not quite mastering the hockey aspects of his role.
A Hockey Homecoming with Team USA
The monologue took a turn when Storrie brought out members of the U.S. Olympic hockey teams – Quinn and Jack Hughes from the men’s team, and Hilary Knight and Megan Keller from the women’s team. The appearance cleverly referenced the recent Winter Olympics and the show’s hockey-centric premise. A lighthearted exchange revealed that the men’s team hadn’t yet seen Heated Rivalry, while the women’s team had. The conversation then subtly addressed a recent controversy involving President Trump and the Olympic teams, referencing a video of the men’s team laughing along with the President as he suggested the women’s team join them at the White House.
Knight and Keller delivered a pointed, yet humorous, retort, stating, “It was going to be just us, but we thought we’d invite the guys too” and “we thought we’d give them a little moment to shine.” They also highlighted the disparity in recent wins, reminding the audience that the men’s team hadn’t won in over 40 years, while the women’s team secured a victory just two Olympics ago. The segment concluded with a cheerful group photo, subtly underscoring the women’s team’s success.
Hudson Williams’ Surprise Appearance
Storrie’s Heated Rivalry co-star, Hudson Williams, made a highly anticipated surprise appearance during a sketch set on the 30 Rock skating rink. Speculation had been building all week about whether Williams would join Storrie on stage, and his arrival was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience. The sketch revolved around a couple navigating a rejected proposal, with Williams dramatically sliding onto the ice and into Storrie’s arms. He later joined Storrie in announcing the musical guest, Mumford & Sons, further amplifying the excitement.
connor storrie and hudson williams on snl 😭https://t.co/q9q9q9q9q9
— ً (@randomtweetz) March 2, 2026
From Hockey Rink to Studio 8H
The close bond between Storrie and Williams, forged during the making of Heated Rivalry, is well-documented. Williams previously told The Hollywood Reporter, “I have one of my best friends for life right beside me through it all, which is already a luxury that a lot of actors don’t get.” Their on-screen chemistry translated seamlessly to the SNL stage, delighting fans and further solidifying their status as a dynamic duo.
SNL had been building anticipation for Storrie’s appearance with a series of teasers, including one featuring an “accent duel” and another showing him in a playful scene with cast member Sarah Sherman and members of Mumford & Sons. A blooper reel from the first teaser offered a glimpse of Storrie’s affable personality. The episode marked a significant moment for the actor, coming on the heels of his breakout role in Heated Rivalry, which streams on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the U.S. The series, based on the popular romance novels by Rachel Reid and created by Jacob Tierney, has garnered a dedicated following.
Both Storrie and Williams have been enjoying a whirlwind of success. They recently presented at the Golden Globes and served as torchbearers in the 2026 Olympic Torch Relay. Storrie is currently in talks to join the cast of Molly Gordon and SNL writer Allie Levitan’s upcoming A24 comedy, Peaked, while Williams is set to reunite with Crave for the Carrie-Anne Moss-led series, Yaga. Heated Rivalry itself has been renewed for a second season, slated to begin filming this summer and aiming for a spring 2027 release.
Looking ahead, fans of Heated Rivalry can anticipate the release of Rachel Reid’s seventh book in the Game Changers series, Unrivaled, which will continue the story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, though the release date has been pushed to 2027. Next week, Ryan Gosling will take the stage as host of SNL, accompanied by musical guest Gorillaz, and on March 14, Harry Styles will pull double duty as both host and musical guest.
Saturday Night Live continues to be a launching pad for comedic talent and a platform for established stars to showcase their versatility. Storrie’s debut proved to be a memorable one, blending humor, heart, and a touch of hockey fandom.
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